I spent half of the holiday weekend at Point
Pleasant Beach, NJ, where, every summer as a kid I would visit the Boardwalk with my parents to get ice cream, ride
the Himalaya or play in the arcade.
This weekend I returned to Point Pleasant (exit 98 on the Garden State Parkway) to enjoy some of my favorite summer
activities. As a child, I rarely stayed at a hotel near the shore, since we usually rented a house. So it did feel
a bit odd to check in to The White Sands on Ocean
Avenue. The place was a bargain, clean, and conveniently located two blocks from the southernmost end of
the Boardwalk. Guests of the hotel can use their private beach, but we walked north, covering the length of the entire
Pt. Pleasant Beach (owned and operated by Jenkinsons) to visit friends at
the far northernmost point, known as the Inlet. It was pleasantly less crowded than the center beaches near the
concessions.
In the evening we dined at The Ark, a great pub with good food
and friendly atmosphere at the opposite end of Ocean Ave., where it meets Rt. 35. We also ate at Martell’s
Tiki Bar, a true oasis at Pt. Pleasant, smack in the middle of the Jenks
monopoly. The Lido Cafe at the White Sands has a limited but decent breakfast menu too, with outdoor seating
overlooking the ocean. On Saturday night, we attempted to remember our college years at the
Jenkinsons restaurant/dance club, but it was insanely crowded. The people-watching (always good for a
laugh at the shore) would have been fantastic if it was not so jammed inside.
For me, the highlight of shore life was — and still is — eating
Kohrs Bros. soft ice cream for lunch while walking the boardwalk. (Be
sure to try their famous original frozen custard.) So, if you
haven’t yet been, you must go visit just for that experience alone. How about on Sept. 17th, for
the 28th annual Festival of the Sea? Fall is a perfect time to visit. I was there once in late October and it was
great then too, although much quieter, of course. NJ Transit can take you there by train from NYC, or by bus from
Philly.
[Last Week: Sea Isle City; Next Week:
Bay Head]